Damaged Cryptos

[Benauld]

Hi,

I have a 130L aqua one 620T, and have planted a few cryptos at the front of the tank. The problem is they look as if they are literally disintegrating:

At first, I thought it was my Gold Tetra they are omnivorous and I have seen them take the tips of the leaves off a few other plants in the tank - but nothing to this extent! (I'm going to get some algae wafers to see if I can tempt them off the plants.)

I also suspected snails but haven't seen any evidence of them yet. (Despite sitting with all the lights out and a red sweetie wrapper over the end of my torch! - and to pre-empt any sarcastic remarks no that isn't a euphemism! )

I did dose some Interpet "Flora Boost No2" last week, according to the instructions - but I thought that was supposed to provide nutrients for the plants not kill them...

Any thoughts as to what else might cause this to happen?

Cheers!

 

[SuperColey1]

Crypts are prone to 'melting' if they are not left alone or if the water parameters change dramtically.

How long have the been in the tank?
Have you moved them/repositioned them at all.

Other than this they are quite hardy plants, and I shouldn't worry because after they have finished their 'melt' they will quite literally arise from the dead and be bigger than before.

When I changed from gravel to Nutrient substrate and sand I had to take all the plants I had out and one was Cryptocoryne Wendtii (brown) this was mid january. It died off but is now getting too large and in need of thinning out a little.

Patience

 

[jesseoneill]

Looks like you've been introduced to the infamous "crypt rot" (also known as "crypt melt"). Basically, crypts can be fickle plants and don't take changes very well. In my tank, I've had this melting after both a major replanting and after a temperature drop (when my heater broke). If you just trim off the melting leaves (or parts of leaves if you catch it soon enough) the plant will eventually bounce back.

 

[Benauld]

Thanks for the replies,

They have only been in there for about 1 week, so it may be the initial shock of the change in water parameters from the LFS. I have also been doing frequent (daily) partial water changes to keep my nitrites down, so this could be aggrivating it. I hadn't realised that they were quite so sensitive... do you think it would be best to leave them be, (other than trimming damaged leaves), or remove them until the water parameters are more stable?

 

[jesseoneill]

Trim the leaves and let the plants be. They'll recover on their own, but moving them again would just aggravate the condition. It's not that crypts are sensitive, it's just that they don't like change.

 

[SuperColey1]

I didnt trim at all. just removed any leaves that floated to the water surface and is very healthy now.

Water changes wont affect them. It will just be the moving from LFS to your tank. give it 1-2 weeks and you will see a new plant

 

[Benauld]

Thanks for the advice,

I think I'll let them get on with it and see how they are looking in a month or so...